Foods for Anxiety

Overcoming anxiety without medications involves making lifestyle changes, and that includes changing your diet. There are foods that will help cure anxiety, and foods that will contribute to anxiety, and by choosing the right foods, you can drastically cut down on the amount of anxiety you experience – and possibly improve your mood.

Acai berry: is essentially the newest super food, and one that has received a great deal of press recently. It may not be the weight loss fruit that many people claimed it was, but acai berries are still rich in phytonutrients like the blueberry, and the antioxidant levels are off the charts.

  
Almonds: are an underrated food. They contain both zinc and vitamin B12 – both key nutrients for maintaining a balanced mood – and have both iron and healthy fats. Healthy fats are an important part of a balanced diet, and low iron levels have been known to cause brain fatigue, which can contribute to both anxiety and a lack of energy.

Blueberries: are more than a delicious fruit. Many consider it to be a superfood. It's rich in vitamins and phytonutrients (plant nutrients), with a variety of antioxidants that are considered extremely beneficial for relieving stress. Many experts also believe that peaches fall into this category as well, because they have nutrients that appear to have a sedation (calming) effect.

Chocolate: especially pure dark chocolate without the added sugars or milks – is also a great food for those living with anxiety and stress. Chocolate reduces cortisol – the stress hormone that causes anxiety symptoms. There are also compounds inside dark chocolate that improve mood.

Maca Root:  is not exactly a popular food item in grocery stores, but the powder can be added to several foods and beverages and is found in a variety of health food stores. It's believed that this root has more phytonutrients than nearly every type of fruit and vegetable, including magnesium and iron – two important nutrients for controlling anxiety. It also is often used for healthy stamina and energy.

Seaweed: has many of the same benefits as whole grains. Not only is it rich in nutrients – it also appears to have a high magnesium content, and kelp and other seaweed appear to be very high in tryptophan content. Seaweed is a good alternative to whole grains for those that are gluten sensitive.

Whole Grain Foods: Those that can tolerate gluten may benefit from foods with whole grains, like whole grain pasta and bread. Studies have shown that true whole grains (some "whole grain foods" still contain processed ingredients) have several benefits for those with anxiety:

• Whole grain is rich in magnesium, and magnesium deficiency may lead to anxiety.
• Whole grain contains tryptophan, which becomes serotonin – a calming neurotransmitter.
• Whole grains create healthy energy while reducing hunger – both important for anxiety.
• Whole grain foods can have a powerful effect on anxiety, and contain nutrients that have been stripped out of modern day diets.

Crucial Foods to Avoid

There are foods that help anxiety, but just as important is making sure that you're not eating foods that contribute to anxiety. Examples of these types of foods include fried foods, high glycemic carbs, unrefined sugars, and alcoholic beverages.

Other foods depend on how much you understand you own anxiety. If you have panic attacks, you may want to avoid coffee, because coffee can increase your heart rate and trigger an attack. But if you have more general anxiety, coffee may actually be beneficial. Many find that caffeine (in low quantities, of course), can actually reduce stress and improve mood.